The whole look of an old 10/22 can be changed just by glass bead blasting the receiver. I did that to mine when I added a stainless steel Volquartsen target barrel years ago. I bead blasted the trigger guard assembly too.

But a warning: The glass beads get into everything. You must totally disassemble the parts and then blow them out after the bead blasting following that with a thorough washing with soap and water. Blow the part out again. Then inspect every little nook and cranny for captured beads and get them out. If they are left in there they will fall out during operation of the gun and either cause the gun to jam or do some real harm.

Did you do the jeweling or did you pay someone? That looks a little odd to me...

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I did it myself, the rear of the receiver I had to do free hand holding it in my hands as my drill press is only a bench top. I got alittle sloppy doing the bottom of the sides (late night in the shop) and after I took the pics I didn't like it so I redid it. besides, only the top 1/3 shows.... But it is fixed.

The whole look of an old 10/22 can be changed just by glass bead blasting the receiver. I did that to mine when I added a stainless steel Volquartsen target barrel years ago. I bead blasted the trigger guard assembly too.

But a warning: The glass beads get into everything. You must totally disassemble the parts and then blow them out after the bead blasting following that with a thorough washing with soap and water. Blow the part out again. Then inspect every little nook and cranny for captured beads and get them out. If they are left in there they will fall out during operation of the gun and either cause the gun to jam or do some real harm.

LDBennett

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Thanks LD, I have set up a full smithing shop with a bead blaster and anodizing station. I am going to take the old trigger guard (it is aluminum) and blast it and color it for another build. I appreciate the input.
I will continue to post pics as the build continues.

I would have anodized the bead blasted 10/22 parts if I had the tools required, but I didn't. The whole of the modification was done perhaps 10 years ago and the bead blasted parts have lost little of their luster, surprisingly. I am beginning to believe that the anodizing is probably un-necessary if you keep your hand off the bead blasted parts and clean the outer surfaces of the gun regularly with gun solvent. But if you handle the blasted aluminum you can get a blackening of the hands as with any raw aluminum piece. With an oil or even the residue of oil from my solvent tank I am not even seeing that.

Anyway your efforts are very good but a bit too embellished for my likes. We all get to choose. I also don't like engraved guns. But that's just me. I do like the anodizing done on your trigger guard. My choice of colors might be different than yours but again it is all personal choice. A gun is probably a perfect canvas for artistic endeavors.

Can you explain what is involved in the anodizing you have chosen to do? What equipment is required as well as what supplies? What is the process? I am curious as to what can be done at home for a reasonable investment, not that I will be doing it.

I would have anodized the bead blasted 10/22 parts if I had the tools required, but I didn't. The whole of the modification was done perhaps 10 years ago and the bead blasted parts have lost little of their luster, surprisingly. I am beginning to believe that the anodizing is probably un-necessary if you keep your hand off the bead blasted parts and clean the outer surfaces of the gun regularly with gun solvent. But if you handle the blasted aluminum you can get a blackening of the hands as with any raw aluminum piece. With an oil or even the residue of oil from my solvent tank I am not even seeing that.

Anyway your efforts are very good but a bit too embellished for my likes. We all get to choose. I also don't like engraved guns. But that's just me. I do like the anodizing done on your trigger guard. My choice of colors might be different than yours but again it is all personal choice. A gun is probably a perfect canvas for artistic endeavors.

Can you explain what is involved in the anodizing you have chosen to do? What equipment is required as well as what supplies? What is the process? I am curious as to what can be done at home for a reasonable investment, not that I will be doing it.

LDBennett

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LD, I will probably do a blasted only piece one day, but not today. I too don't like engraving either but on some pistols it does look good. Like you said, it is not for everyone, to each his own. I am a fan of polished and brushed. Yes, I believe the firearm is a canvas too.

I would have anodized the bead blasted 10/22 parts if I had the tools required, but I didn't. The whole of the modification was done perhaps 10 years ago and the bead blasted parts have lost little of their luster, surprisingly. I am beginning to believe that the anodizing is probably un-necessary if you keep your hand off the bead blasted parts and clean the outer surfaces of the gun regularly with gun solvent. But if you handle the blasted aluminum you can get a blackening of the hands as with any raw aluminum piece. With an oil or even the residue of oil from my solvent tank I am not even seeing that.

Anyway your efforts are very good but a bit too embellished for my likes. We all get to choose. I also don't like engraved guns. But that's just me. I do like the anodizing done on your trigger guard. My choice of colors might be different than yours but again it is all personal choice. A gun is probably a perfect canvas for artistic endeavors.

Can you explain what is involved in the anodizing you have chosen to do? What equipment is required as well as what supplies? What is the process? I am curious as to what can be done at home for a reasonable investment, not that I will be doing it.

IMHO jeweling only looks good when it is 100% accurate. Kudos for doing by hand but you might be better off bead blasting....

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I realized I made a mstake and ran the piece on the polish wheel after I jeweled it and it washed it out too much. I also saw my errs in jeweling and re did the whole thing. It looks much better now. I posted those pics and saw how sloppy it really came out. It is now 100% better. The back of the receiver won't even be seen so I am not worried about that. I also redid the bolt, held more pressure to get a better cut on the metal. When the build is finished and I post the pics you can be the judge. I do appreciate others input and I can learn from everyone, but in the end I know it is my gun. Thanks to all, so far.....

Actually I have a vise but it alittle big for my bench top press. I am picking up my old gynormous standing press out of storage this weekend that the vise is made for. I have it so why not use it. The small press doesn't have the clearance to put the receiver vertical so I had to hold it by hand... it was an attempt that didn't work well. The more I look at the jeweled aluminum the less I like it... just doesn't pop. The metal is too soft. I am thinking about just doing it brushed now. We will see....

I have found my small bench top drill press works MUCH better then my big one for this. The hardness of the metal should not be a issue as long as you use a light touch and you can use a finer medium. I have done a few 10/22 receivers along with other aluminum guns hell I even did a aluminum 22lr suppressor ( friends form 1 ) used a dividing plate instead of a vice for that as is was round same way you can do a barrel .

Maine, thanks for the info... I agree a small press is much easier, So I will probably end up getting a smaller vise for it. Gotta love having an excuse to buy new tools. I have just recently started to try jeweling and I know it will take alot of practice to get it prefect... working on it.. I have a whole bunch of old marlins and rugers to play with.

The thing I am not liking too much about jeweling the aluminum is it dosen't shine like steel when it is done. Steel finishes polished... I will try a finer medium and see how that works. I really do appreciate the info/help. Where in Maine are you.... got family in Millenockett.